Himachal

Climbing a mountain in 2018

[pmd55]

Raj, my meditation teacher, has built me a little boat and given me the tools to make it better. With the oars I am setting off on a new course in my life......

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Mmmmm.... mango in the mountains beside the Beas River

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Threshing barley in Himachal in 2018.....passing vehicles save beating the grain but then the women have to sweep clean the road.

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At around 4000m, my last dalliance with the amazing Himachal mountains (on the left is one of the Manikaran Towers 5300m, not for the faint-hearted). For now.

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But this is India

.....and the Sar Pass is a popular trekking objective and some people ("dunkeys" according to a local guide) like to leave a mark on the truly beautiful landscape. I picked up this litter on the pass before I tired of the task. Anyway I brought it back to throw away properly (yes, the plants in the background are what you think they are).

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The views from the Sar Pass are wonderful....the Pir Panjal range (5-6500m) is to the north behind me.

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Sanjoo, Vimal (genius cake maker on a kerosene stove), Umish and Sunny laid on a celebration when we got down. Good friends...

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Seen anything cute lately? I was lucky again on the way down....Himalayan brown bear with her cubs

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At the top of the climb...25m below the summit which guides here observe in respect of any mountain. For me it was touch and go...I certainly respect the mountain. Don't need to that as again just yet......

[pmd55]

I am fortunate

OK, back in signal. Mountain climbed on Thurs 17 May. Now said goodbye to team of guides and porters. The credit should go to the people (family, friends, Himachal specialists) who got me there. I achieved my dream....

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Starting off

Plus three guides, nine men to get one old man to the top of a mountain....

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Getting fit

Just to be clear: Patalsu (previous posts) is my "training" peak and can be climbed from the village in a day.

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The Mountain

My objective has no name and is at the head of a tributary of the Pārbati river (also called Parvati). Please go to Google Earth and have fun flying around the 5441m mountain I've been dreaming of climbing for nearly nine years: 31'54'26"N 77'36'02"E (degrees after first two digits). The expedition starts this Friday and I am insufferably excited....

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At Himalayan Yeti the guides are working out what to charge their English client (hint so far: more than two lakh).

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Back in Manali an old man will sell you a knife from his bike, another old man (in the hut - dhaba) dispense a cup of tea, you can post a letter or get distracted by the plants on the roadside....